Extension device for toggle switches

ABSTRACT

An extension device for connection to a pivotal toggle of a wall located toggle switch to facilitate operation of the switch by a small child or another who is unable to reach to the toggle of the switch.

United States Patent Richard A. Schitfelbein 226 Freeman, Topeka, Kans.66616 866,602

Oct. 15, 1969 May 25, 1971 Inventor Appl. No. Filed Patented EXTENSIONDEVICE FOR TOGGLE SWITCHES 1 Claim, 2 Drawing Figs.

U.S.Cl 200/172A Int.Cl H0lh3/04 Field of Search ZOO/172 References CitedUNITED STATES PATENTS 1/1952 Foster 200/172(A) 10/1954 Parke et al200/172(A) 10/1955 Allen 200/172(A) 12/1955 Bemdsen..... 200/172(A)2/1964 Sander et al. 200/172(A) 3/1965 Craig ..200/172(A)(X) PrimaryExaminer-H. 0. Jones ABSTRACT: An extension device for connection to apivotal toggle of a wall located toggle switch to facilitate operationof the switch by a small child or another who is unable to reach to thetoggle of the switch.

. 1 sxrsuslon'unvrca FOR TOGGLE swnrcnss This invention relatesgenerally to electrical toggle switches. More specifically it relates totoggle switch knob extensions.

It is generally well known that conventional electrical toggle switchesare mounted in the walls of a room at a sufficiently high elevation soas to be conveniently operated by adults, however such elevation isinconvenient for permitting the toggle switch to be used by particularlya small child and who occasionally is therefor'obliged to climb on achair or the like to gain access thereto and flip the toggle switch.This is an inconvenience to the child and he is subject to possiblyfalling off the chair as well as relocating the chair or other objectupon which to stand and wherein the relocated chair or object may thusbe a hazard upon which a person unsuspecting of its position may bumpthereinto. This situation is objectionable and accordingly in want ofimprovement.

Accordingly it is the principle object of the present invention toprovide an improved light switch for small children havingself-contained means whereby the switch can be conveniently operated byboth adults as well as small children.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a' light switchfor small children and which comprises an accessory readily attachableto a conventional toggle switch knob that extends outwardly protrudinglyfrom the toggle switch.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a light switch forsmall children wherein the accessory does not in any way mar orotherwise injure the toggle switch components and which does not presentan unsightly appearance when installed.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a lightswitch for small children wherein the accessory may be retailed in aform' of a kit so that a home owner or a householder may readily installit himself on any existing toggle switches.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide a tot light whichis simple in design, inexpensive to manufacture, rugged in construction,easy to use and efficient in operation.

These and other objects will be readily evident upon a study of thefollowing specification and the accompanying drawing wherein:

FlG. l is a side elevation view of the present invention shown installedand in operative use, and v FlG. 2 is a perspective view of thecomponents of the present invention.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, the reference numeral representsa light switch for small children according to the present inventionwherein there is an accessory 11 that is readily attachable ordetachable from a conventional toggle switch 12 installed at aconventional height elevation on a sidewall 13 of'a room. The toggleswitch 12 incorporates a toggle button or knob 14 that is normallypivotable upwardly or downwardly so to close an electrical circuit forturning on lights in the room or other electrical circuits. The knob 14protrudes forwardly into the room out of a central opening 15 fonned ina cover plate 16 fitted against the surface of the wall 13 and mountedby means of screws 17 attached to a switch mounted within the wall.

in the present form of the invention, the accessory 11 may comprise akit which includes a cap or cup 18 mountable over the knob 14, the capbeing attached pivotally free to a depending rod 19 slideable along abracket 20.

The cup 18 comprises a generally cubical configurated element having anopening 21 therein accessible from a rear side 22 thereof and into whichthe knob 14 can be introduced.

An eye screw 23 is threadingly engaged through a lower sidewall of thecap, as shown at 24, the terminal end of the eye screw being pointed, asshown at 25.

In installing the device upon the toggle switch, the eye screw 23'isrotated sufficiently until the pointed end 25 thereof bites into thelower surface of the knob 14, thereby providing a rigid securementthereto. The eye screw 23 engages an opening 26 at the upper end of thevertically extending straight rod 19, the lower end of the rod beingprovided with an enlarged knob or handle 27 for being grasped within achilds hand 28'. A bracket 20 may be made of plastic material or otherinexpensive and smooth material, the bracket 20 including a forwardlyextending arm 28 having a vertical central opening 29 at the terminalend thereof through which the rod 19 is fitted. A slot 30 in the side ofthe arm provides access to the central opening and allow the rod 19 tobe readily slipped into the opening.

A removable protective sheet 31 on a rear side of the bracket can bepeeled off so as to expose an adhesive tacky surface 32 so as to quicklyand easily attach the bracket to the wall 13 without the necessity ofscrews or nails.

in operative use, a child desiring to use the toggle switch needs onlyto pull on the knob 27, as shown in FIG. 1 of the drawing.

1 claim:

1. In a light switch for small children, the combinationof aconventional toggle switch mounted on a sidewall of a room at anelevation convenient to adults and an accessory securable to said toggleswitch, said accessory comprising a cap removably attachable to anexposed pivotable knob of said toggle switch, said cap being attachedpivotally free to an upper end of a depending rod, a lower end of saidrod having an enlarged handle for convenient grasp by the hand of achild, said cap having an opening therein extending from a rear sidethereof, said opening being adaptable for receiving said toggle switchknob, an eyebolt threadingly secured to said cap, said eyebolt having apointed end extending into said opening of said cap, said pointed endbeing adaptable for biting accordingly into said toggle switch knobreceived within said cap, said eyebolt engaging an upper end of saidrod, said accessory including a bracket comprising a one-piece memberhaving a forwardly extending arm with a central opening extendingvertically therethrough for receiving said rod, a slot communicatingwith said opening to permit introducing said rod into said opening ofsaid bracket, and a rear surface of said bracket including a removablesheet of paper for exposing a tacky adhesive on a rear side of saidbracket for mounting against said sidewall.

1. In a light switch for small children, the combination of aconventional toggle switch mounted on a sidewall of a room at anelevation convenient to adults and an accessory securable to said toggleswitch, said accessory comprising a cap removably attachable to anexposed pivotable knob of said toggle switch, said cap being attachedpivotally free to an upper end of a depending rod, a lower end of saidrod having an enlarged handle for convenient grasp by the hand of achild, said cap having an opening therein extending from a rear sidethereof, said opening being adaptable for receiving said toggle switchknob, an eyebolt threadingly secured to said cap, said eyebolt having apointed end extending into said opening of said cap, said pointed endbeing adaptable for biting accordingly into said toggle switch knobreceived within said cap, said eyebolt engaging an upper end of saidrod, said accessory including a bracket comprising a onepiece memberhaving a forwardly extending arm with a central opening extendingvertically therethrough for receiving said rod, a slot communicatingwith said opening to permit introducing said rod into said opening ofsaid bracket, and a rear surface of said bracket including a removablesheet of paper for exposing a tacky adhesive on a rear side of saidbracket for mounting against said sidewall.